Azhar Ali offers to resign as ODI skipper, PCB chief convinces him to stay on

Pakistan's ODI skipper Azhar Ali (right) with Mohd Amir attend the training camp in Lahore yesterday. Inset: Shaharyar Khan

Lahore: Pakistan's cricket chief yesterday said he had refused to accept one-day captain Azhar Ali's resignation over the widely-tipped selection of convicted spot-fixer Mohammad Amir, saying the team could not afford a crisis at this time.

Also read: Will address Hafeez, Azhar's concerns on Amir's inclusion, says PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan


Pakistan's ODI skipper Azhar Ali (right) with Mohd Amir attend the training camp in Lahore yesterday. Pic/PTI

Ali had tendered his resignation to protest Amir's prospective return to the national team for next month's tour of New Zealand, almost six years after he was banned and jailed for deliberately bowling no-balls as part of a betting scam in a Test match. Speaking to AFP, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said he had changed 30-year-old Ali's mind.

"I met Ali and since he resigned as captain I convinced him not to do so as Pakistan cricket cannot afford a crisis at this time," he said.

Also read: Pakistan cricket row - Azhar Ali, Hafeez refuse to join camp in Amir's presence


Shaharyar Khan

Pakistan is likely to announce the squad for the New Zealand tour in the next couple of days. They play three one-day and as many Twenty20 internationals on the tour starting January 15.